Applicator for a Cosmetic Product &amp; Associated Applicator Assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an applicator ( 10 ) for a cosmetic product, comprising a core ( 12 ) having a first end, referred to as the proximal end ( 13 ), and a free second end, referred to as the distal end ( 16 ), and a plurality of protuberances ( 30 ) that project from the core ( 12 ), said protuberances ( 30 ) being arranged in a plurality of rows, the protuberances of at least one of said rows, referred to as the first row, decreasing progressively in length from said distal end ( 16 ) towards a central part of the applicator ( 10 ) before increasing progressively in length from said central part towards said proximal end ( 13 ), while an opposite variation in the length of the protuberances occurs in each of the two rows, referred to as second rows, that are adjacent to the first row(s). The invention also relates to an associated applicator assembly.

The invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator and to anassociated applicator assembly.

Applicator assemblies for cosmetic products, in particular for cosmeticproducts to be applied to the eyelashes, such as mascara, comprising areceptacle containing the cosmetic product and an applicator capable ofbeing removably attached to the receptacle, are known.

The receptacle generally comprises a body, the body comprising wallsdelimiting a container in which the cosmetic product is contained, and aneck defining an opening through which the cosmetic product can beremoved.

The applicator assembly generally comprises a cap suitable for beingattached to the neck, a rod extending from the cap, and an applicatorattached to a free end of the rod. The applicator comprises a core and aplurality of protrusions or bristles extending from the core.

When the cap is attached to the neck, the rod and the applicator extendwithin the container. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic productcontained in the container.

To use the applicator, the user detaches the cap from the neck andremoves the applicator from the receptacle.

To prevent the applicator from being overloaded with cosmetic product,the receptacle generally comprises a wiper, attached to the interior ofthe neck. When the user removes the applicator from the receptacle, theapplicator slides within the wiper. The wiper scrapes off the excesscosmetic product on the rod and on the applicator.

The wiper thus makes it possible to control the amount of product whichis on the applicator and prevents an excessive amount of cosmeticproduct from being applied to the eyelashes.

The wiper in particular limits the amount of product present on theprotrusions. Two parameters interact for this purpose: the internaldiameter of the wiper and the radial extension of the protrusions.

Thus, the desired amount of product on the protrusions when leaving thewiper results from the compromise between the internal diameter of thewiper and the radial extension of the protrusions.

Moreover, it is known that the regions having protrusions having ashorter radial extension promote the loading of the applicator, whereasthe regions having protrusions having a longer radial extension promotethe combing of the eyelashes for a given wiper.

The problem addressed by the present invention is that of proposing anapplicator that allows a high degree of overlapping between loadingregions and combing regions.

Therefore, the invention relates to an applicator for a cosmeticproduct, comprising a core having a first end, referred to as a proximalend, and a second, free end, referred to as a distal end, and aplurality of protrusions projecting from the core.

According to the invention, said protrusions are moulded with the coreand are arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the direction ofextension of the core, the protrusions of at least one of said rows,referred to as the first row, progressively decreasing in length fromsaid distal end towards a central portion of the applicator and thenprogressively increasing in length from said central portion towardssaid proximal end, while the length of the protrusions varies in theopposite manner in each of the two rows, referred to as second rows,adjacent to said first row(s).

The proposed applicator is advantageous in that it has loading regionsthat are discretely distributed, are staggered and alternate withcombing regions in order to allow the eyelashes to be loaded with thecosmetic product at the same time as being combed. This applicator isall the more advantageous since it allows these simultaneous functionsover both the entire circumference and entire length thereof.

According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be takentogether or separately:

-   -   said rows are parallel to an axis of the core;    -   the first rows alternate with the second rows around the entire        core, which allows the product to be uniformly applied on the        entire circumference of the applicator, loading regions, which        are discretely distributed, alternating with the combing regions        in a staggered manner.    -   the protrusions of the first rows are axially offset from the        protrusions of the second rows,    -   said rows are radially spaced around the periphery of the core        at a constant angular distance,    -   said angular distance is 30°,    -   the core is made of plastics material,    -   the protrusions are made of plastics material,    -   the core and the protrusions are moulded from the same material,    -   each of the rows has a wave-shaped profile,    -   the waves of the first rows are in antiphase with a wave of the        second rows,    -   the protrusions have a semi-circular cross section,    -   the protrusions each have a planar surface,    -   the protrusions are positioned such that planar surfaces of two        adjacent protrusions are oriented in the same rotational        direction,    -   the protrusions each extend along a normal to the axis of the        core,    -   the protrusions are rectilinear,    -   the core has a constant cross section,    -   the core has a ribbed profile,    -   the core comprises a centre and ribs extending longitudinally        along the centre,    -   the core has four regularly spaced longitudinal ribs,    -   the core is solid,    -   the applicator forms a brush.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmeticproduct, comprising a receptacle having a body which forms a containerintended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator as describedabove that is capable of being attached to the receptacle such that theapplicator is housed within the container.

The invention will be better understood, and its other aims, details,features and advantages will become clearer in the following detailedexplanatory description of at least one embodiment of the inventiongiven as a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with referenceto the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of an applicator according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a cross section along line D-D shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross section along line A-A shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a cross section along line B-B shown in FIG. 4.

The invention, as shown in the figures, relates to an applicator 10 fora cosmetic product, comprising a core 12 having a first end, referred toas a proximal end 13, which is capable of being attached to anapplicator rod by means of a cylindrical coupling 14 extending said core12, and a second, free end, referred to as a distal end 16. Saidcylindrical coupling 14 allows the applicator 10 to be attached.

The applicator 10 further comprises a plurality of protrusions 30projecting from the core 12.

The protrusions 30 are moulded with the core 12. In other words, theprotrusions 30 may be integrally formed with the core 12 or over-mouldedon the core 12.

The protrusions 30 are arranged in a plurality of rows R1-R12 extendingin the direction of extension of the core 12. The rows R1-R12 are allparallel to an axis of the core 12, in particular the longitudinal axisof extension thereof (reference sign X in FIG. 1).

The protrusions 30 of at least one of said rows, referred to as thefirst row R1, progressively decrease in length from said distal end 16towards a central portion 15 of the applicator 12 and then progressivelyincrease in length from said central portion 15 towards said proximalend 13. In other words, the length of the protrusions 30 may changelinearly, or in accordance with other variation profiles, from oneprotrusion 30 to another, for example by successive stages of at leasttwo protrusions 30 having the same length.

The length of the protrusions 30 varies in the opposite manner in eachof the two rows, referred to as second rows R2, R12, adjacent to saidfirst row(s) R1. In this way, the a make-up effect is achieved that isadvantageous in that the central portion of the row R1, which forms aloading region, is located between two combing regions that are eachsituated on an adjacent row R2, R12. In other words, the chargingregions alternate with the combing regions in a staggered manner aroundthe entire applicator of the invention and along the entire lengththereof.

FIG. 1 is an overall view of the alternation between the first rows R1,R3, R5, R7, R9, R11 and the second rows R2, R4, R6, R8, R10, R12 aroundthe entire core 12. The rows R1-R12 are shown in FIG. 4, which, as areminder, is a plan view of FIG. 1. In other words, in this example, theapplicator comprises only rows of the first and the second typealternating with one another.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the rows R4-R12 are radially spaced around theperiphery of the core 12 at a constant angular distance. This angulardistance may vary from one embodiment to another. In the embodimentshown here, the angular distance is 30°. In other words, there aretwelve rows R1-R12.

FIG. 3 shows one of the first rows R1. As set out above, each of thefirst rows R1, R3, R5, R7, R9, R11 has protrusions, or teeth 31, thelength of which progressively decreases from the distal end 16 towardsthe central portion 15 of the applicator 12 and then progressivelyincreases from the central portion 15 towards the proximal end 13. Inother words, the free end of the teeth 31 defines a first envelope, orfirst wave V1, which is firstly convex in the region of the distal end16, then concave in the region of the central portion 15 and then convexagain in the region of the proximal end 13. The first wave V1 issubstantially identical to all of the first rows R1, R3, R5, R7, R9,R11.

The maximum size D31 of this first wave is in the region of the distalend 16 and in the region of the proximal end 13. This first wave V1 hasa minimum size d31 in the region of the central portion 15 of the core12. The maximum D31 and minimum d31 sizes follow the following formula:

$1 < \frac{D\; 31}{d\; 31} \leq 4.$

Maximum or minimum size means the distance between the longitudinal axisof extension of the core X and the free end of a protrusion, in otherwords the radial extension of the protrusions.

FIG. 5 shows one of the second rows R2. Each of the second rows R2, R4,R6, R8, R10, R12 has protrusions, or teeth 32, the length of whichprogressively increases from the distal end 16 towards the centralportion 15 of the applicator 12 and then progressively decreases fromthe central portion 15 towards the proximal end 13. In other words, thefree end of the teeth 32 defines a second envelope, or second wave V2,which is firstly concave in the region of the distal end 16, then convexin the region of the central portion 15 and then concave again in theregion of the proximal end 13. The second wave V2 is substantiallyidentical to all of the second rows R2, R4, R6, R8, R10, R12.

The maximum size D32 of this second wave V2 is in the region of thecentral portion 15 of the core 12, while the minimum size d32 of thissecond wave V2 is in the region of the distal end 16 and in the regionof the proximal end 13. The maximum D32 and minimum d32 sizes follow thefollowing formula:

$1 < \frac{D\; 32}{d\; 32} \leq 4.$

Moreover, the maximum sizes D31, D32 of the first and the second waveV1, V2, respectively, follow the following formula:

$0.8 \leq \frac{D\; 32}{D\; 31} \leq {1.2.}$

The minimum sizes d31, d32 follow the following formula:

$0.8 \leq \frac{d\; 32}{d\; 31} \leq {1.2.}$

In this case, the envelope of each of said first and second rows isundulated or sinusoidal, out of phase and advantageously in antiphase.

In other words, each of rows R1-R12 has a wave-shaped profile V1, V2.More particularly, the waves V1 formed by the first rows R1, R3, R5, R7,R9, R11 are in antiphase with the wave V2 formed by the second rows R2,R4, R6, R8, R10, R12.

Furthermore, as already mentioned, in this case the applicator 10 doesnot have rows of teeth which would define, by the free end thereof, awave that is different from the two waves V1, V2 that have just beendescribed.

It should be noted that, along the axis X, there are at least twoorthogonal planes of said axis X, in which the protrusions 30 of therows R1-R12 have a substantially identical radial extension, said planesdo not include the proximal end 13 or the distal end 16.

It should also be noted that, in the region of the proximal 13 anddistal 16 ends, the protrusions 30 of the two adjacent rows havedifferent radial extensions.

As described at the outset, the receptacle of the applicator assemblyaccording to the invention generally comprises a wiper which is attachedto the interior of the neck thereof in order to limit the amount ofproduct on the protrusions 30, in particular on those protrusions havingthe greatest radial extensions. These protrusions thus serve to comb theeyelashes, whereas the teeth having the shortest radial extension, whichare only wiped to a small extent, serve to load the eyelashes withproduct.

Therefore, the effect associated with the alternation of two types ofwave V1, V2 around a core 12 of the type according to the invention isparticularly advantageous. In a single action of rotating the applicatorabout the longitudinal axis thereof, the effect allows the user tobenefit from loading regions, namely regions having the minimum sized31, d32, and from eyelash combing regions, namely regions having themaximum size D31, D32.

In other words, the loading and combing regions are in succession aroundthe core 12 of the applicator 10 and are in the form of waves V1, V2that are in antiphase along the entire length of the core.

Again, in other words, the loading and combing regions are in successionand axially and angularly staggered along and around the axis X of theapplicator 10.

The applicator 10 therefore comprises rows R1-R12 of protrusions 30, thesize D31, D32 of which may be large. Therefore, in order to be used inconjunction with a standard-format receptacle, the core 12 should have arelatively small diameter d12 (see FIG. 2).

However, in order to maintain a rigidity that is sufficient for thefunction of the core, the core 12 can have a ribbed profile, which, inthis case, is in the form of longitudinal ribs 17 that are regularlyspaced around a centre of the core as shown in FIG. 2. The core 12 alsohas a constant cross section along the longitudinal extension axisthereof.

The example shown in FIG. 2 includes four longitudinal ribs 17, but thisnumber may vary. Therefore, the core 12 has at least one longitudinalrib 17. The cross section of said rib(s) is substantially in the shapeof omega (Ω). Said cross section is produced in a plane that isorthogonal to the longitudinal axis X of the core 12.

The applicator of the invention has a further advantage. It allows theuser's eyelashes to be separated in a remarkable manner, and this can bepromoted by the following feature: the teeth 31 of the first rows R1,R3, R5, R7, R9, R11 are axially offset from the teeth 32 of the secondrows R2, R4, R6, R8, R10, R12.

On the other hand, in order to simplify the processes for manufacturingsuch an applicator 10, the protrusions 30 may have a semi-circular crosssection. In this way, they preferably each have a planar surface (seeFIG. 4). In this case, said protrusions 30 are positioned such that theplanar surfaces of two adjacent protrusions are oriented in the samerotational direction about the core 12. In order to further simply theprocesses for manufacturing, the protrusions 30 are preferablyrectilinear and each extend along a normal to an axis of the core 12.

The protrusions 30 are preferably integrally formed with the core 12.For example, the core 12 and the protrusions 30 may be moulded from amaterial based on LDPE (low-density polyethylene). Other materials mayalso be used, namely the material “Exact” from ExxonMobil or thematerial “Hytrel” from Dupont, or a mixture of these materials.

It should be noted that the applicator 10 advantageously forms a brush.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmeticproduct, comprising a receptacle having a body which forms a containercontaining the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described abovethat is capable of being attached to the receptacle such that theapplicator is housed within the container. Said applicator 10 isattached, for example, to the end of a rod, the rod itself beingattached to a cap that is advantageously screwed to the receptacle.After assembly, the cylindrical coupling 14 is positioned in the rod andthe proximal end 13 of the core forms the visible proximal end of theapplicator.

It should also be noted that variants are of course possible. Inparticular, in an additional embodiment, the applicator of the inventioncomprises a different number of rows, which is either lower (for example8 rows) or higher (for example 16 rows).

1. Applicator for a cosmetic product, comprising: a core having a firstend, referred to as a proximal end, and a second, free end, referred toas a distal end, and a plurality of protrusions projecting from thecore, wherein said protrusions are moulded with the core and arearranged in a plurality of rows (R1-R12) which extend in the directionof extension of the core, and wherein the protrusions of at least one ofsaid rows, referred to as the first row (R1), progressively decrease inlength from said distal end towards a central portion of the applicatorand then progressively increase in length from said central portiontowards said proximal end while the length of the protrusions varies inthe opposite manner in each of the two rows, referred to as second rows(R2, R12), adjacent to said first row(s) (R1).
 2. Applicator accordingto claim 1, wherein the first rows (R1, R3, R5, R7, R9, R11) alternatewith the second rows (R2, R4, R6, R8, R10, R12) around the entire core.3. Applicator according toy claim 1, wherein said rows (R1-R2) areparallel to an axis of the core.
 4. Applicator according to claim 1,wherein said rows (R1-R12) are radially spaced around the periphery ofthe core at a constant angular distance.
 5. Applicator according toclaim 4, wherein said angular distance is 30°.
 6. Applicator accordingto claim 1, wherein each of the rows (R1-R12) has a wave-shaped profile(V1, V2), the waves (V1) of the first rows (R1, R3, R5, R7, R9, R11)being in antiphase with a wave (V2) of the second rows (R2, R4, R6, R8,R10, R12).
 7. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the protrusionshave a semi-circular cross section.
 8. Applicator according to claim 1,wherein the protrusions each have a planar surface.
 9. Applicatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the protrusions are positioned such thatplanar surfaces of two adjacent protrusions are oriented in the samerotational direction.
 10. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein thecore has a constant cross section.
 11. Applicator according to claim 1,wherein the core comprises a centre and ribs extending longitudinallyalong the centre.
 12. Applicator assembly for a cosmetic product,comprising: a receptacle comprising a body which forms a containerintended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator according toclaim 1, that is capable of being attached to the receptacle such thatthe applicator is housed within the container.